About Us

Welcome to Hand in Hand Ministries

Hand in Hand Ministries knows these life-changing experiences are great teachers of compassion, generosity and knowledge of real needs and wants. People who volunteer with us are always inspired to do more. The energy is contagious. By lending a hand, you will be changing a life… and in most cases, it will be your own!

Our Mission: We work hand in hand with individuals and communities to transform lives by responding to expressed needs through cultural immersion, education, housing and health care.

Our Vision: We seek to build community one person, one family at a time. Our ongoing programs provide access to quality education, safe housing and health care. Our immersion trips encourage individuals to deepen their perspective and realize their potential impact locally, regionally and globally.

Our Inspiration: We are an organization driven by faith in a loving God who embraces all people.

A Message from Marla

Dear Friends of Hand in Hand,

When I think of one story, one person who represents Hand in Hand for me, it’s Esmelda. We met several years ago while building her house in Nicaragua. We spent 5 days together, tying rebar, mixing concrete and laughing. I have seen her on every return visit to Managua.

Each time I visit I see improvements in her home, and personal growth for Esmelda and her children. While we were building her home, we dodged a rooster and barking dog when we used the bathroom out back. Now she has indoor plumbing and a beautiful little kitchen.

Her three kids are all thriving. Her oldest daughter, Arelys, now 22, became our first Pathway to Change student to graduate from college and is attending law school in Managua at the University of Central America in Managua. Helton, 20, graduated from high school, works full-time and is studying Graphic Design at the University de Valle in Managua on the weekends. Scarlett, her youngest, graduates in November and will attend University. Esmelda began taking sewing classes a few years ago, just for fun.

Everything this family has accomplished has been because of their tenacity and hard work, not ours. We have simply provided the fertile soil in which their dreams have taken root.

Hand in Hand’s role is to plant seeds of hope through education, housing and health care. Immersion trip volunteers assist us in planting and nurturing those seeds. Our hope, our dream, our mission is to see all of those seeds grow and flourish like Esmelda and her family.

I invite you to join us on this journey to empowerment. The first step on that journey is to learn more about us by attending an Explore the Mission Tour. This one-hour interactive tour of our office and retreat center in West Louisville will not only inform but inspire you. Another option is to jump right in and join us for an immersion trip to one of our four locations. We’d love to have you attend our annual Legacy Breakfast, our most celebrated fundraising event of the year. You could even support our mission by going to our “donate now” page and making a financial contribution to our organization.

I do hope you’ll become a part of the Hand in Hand family as a donor, tripster, or ambassador. You can then plant your own seeds of hope. Those seeds have the power to change a life – even your own.

Marla Cautilli, CEO of Hand in Hand Ministries

Who We Are and What We Do

On the surface, it looks like we build and repair homes, provide medical care and educate children and young adults. But it goes beyond that, way beyond that. We’re about connecting people – not through cell phones – but by working side by side with people who don’t look the same, talk the same or have the same amount of stuff.

We’re about crossing boundaries, and building compassion in one another by swinging a hammer, or blowing bubbles or clogging at Front Porch Pickin. We’re about recognizing and addressing needs – but we’re also about seeing resilience, beauty, and ingenuity, where others only see poverty. We’re about celebrating that which is good in all of us.

Our History and Founders

In 1999, brothers Wayne and Father Joe Fowler founded Hand in Hand Ministries in Louisville, KY. Originating in a church basement with an annual budget of just $26,000 with 100 supporters.

In November of 1994, Wayne visited an orphanage for handicapped and abandoned children in Kingston, Jamaica. The people of Jamaica touched his heart, but the conditions of the children’s orphanage and family living conditions were unimaginable. His first trip abroad not only changed the way he looked at himself but also how he viewed his country and the world. His life was forever transformed. Wayne and Father Joe began helping in small ways. In January 1997, Wayne led 29 people to Kingston for construction and medical work. Upon returning, the group hosted a potluck dinner for family and friends to share their stories and photos of their trip. More than 75 people showed up to experience the passion and excitement of the volunteers…and in many ways, that was how Hand in Hand Ministries was born.

Hand in Hand Ministries was incorporated in August 1999. With the brothers’ leadership and vision, Hand in Hand has continued to grow and has helped thousands of children, families and communities along the way.

Retired priest, Father Fowler, has stayed very active with Hand in Hand managing a weekly bingo that provides significant financial support and serving on the board of directors.

After a battle with cancer, Wayne died on March 3, 2016. His greatest legacy is compassion. And we will do all we can every day to ensure that vision lives on forever!

Timeline

1999

Hand in Hand Ministries Founded

2000

Hand in Hand partners with organizations in Jamaica and Nicaragua

2001

First Immersion Trip to Nicaragua in response to Hurricane Mitch damage

2002

Belize Office Opens

2003

First Immersion Trip to Belize Builds House #1

2004

Outreach Center in Belize City, Belize Opens

2005

Managua, Nicaragua Office Opens

2006

Pathway to Change scholarship program begins in Nicaragua with three students

Interested in joining our board? We are looking for a few good men and women to spread and support our mission. As a board member, you would be required to attend a bi-monthly board meeting, bi-monthly committee meeting, attend events throughout the year, assist with fundraising goals and make a personal contribution. Please contact Marla Cautilli at marla@myhandinhand.org or (502) 459.9930 for more information.

Informational Sessions: Explore the Mission Tour

Hand in Hand Ministries invites you to an “Explore the Mission” Tour to learn more about us, our work and how you can get involved! You will get a glimpse into the hearts and minds of individuals whose lives have been forever changed by the work of our volunteers and staff. We would love to answer all your burning questions.

Join us for a one-hour interactive, engaging tour of our building and programs!

Whether you are new to Hand in Hand’s mission or you simply want to learn more, this short program will help you understand the important work Hand in Hand is doing locally, regionally and internationally.

Initially Hand in Hand operated out of a church basement with an annual budget of just $26,000 and about 100 supporters. We now have budgeted needs of over $1.5 million dollars annually and a database with nearly 14,000 constituents representing 34 states.

Hand in Hand receives no federal or state funding. We rely on support from individuals, foundations, educational institutions, churches and the business community.

Center for Nonprofit Excellence
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence was established in 1999 through the work of many. Chief among them was the Donors Forum of Kentuckiana, Metro United Way, and Metro Louisville.It was clear that the greater Louisville region of nonprofits needed a central point to access information, best practices, professional development, and hands-on consultation to help our sector reach its individual and collective aspirations. Nearly a decade later, our staff, board, and volunteers, continue to dream big and toil hard to provide that and bring our vision for a community that is vibrant, diverse, and compassionate into reality.http://www.cnpe.org

Fund Raising Executives of Metro Louisville
The FUND RAISING EXECUTIVES of METRO LOUISVILLE (FREML) is a local organization of fund development-related professionals. It was established in 1983 to provide area fundraising executives with an opportunity to network with other fundraisers, and to provide educational programs on topics of professional interest.www.freml.org

Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Louisville Chapter
A member organization of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Greater Louisville Chapter is the key resource for fundraising and nonprofit professionals in our region. At regular meetings of our chapter, members build relationships and learn best practices from other skilled nonprofit leaders. Our educational opportunities include regular meetings, Greater Louisville Philanthropy Day, audio conferences, and review for CFRE certification.www.afpgreaterlouisville.org

Leadership Louisville Center
The Leadership Louisville Center’s mission is to grow and connect a diverse network of leaders who serve as catalysts for a world-class community. We do this through leadership programs, events, training and member-oriented programming designed to inspire, challenge and connect people at all levels of leadership development.www.leadershiplouisville.org

YPAL: Young Professionals Association of Louisville
The Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) provides leadership development, educational opportunities and philanthropic support to Louisville’s Young Professionals for the benefit of the local community. The mission of YPAL is to connect, engage and develop metro Louisville’s young professionals through community, professional and social opportunities.www.ypal.org